Julie Russell Madison died peacefully at home on September 10th, 2024. She was born on November 17th, 1933, in Jacksonville, Florida to Katherine Baker Russell and Franklin Glazier Russell Jr. She is predeceased by her husband, Thomas Marshall Madison, with whom she celebrated 65 years of marriage. She was the proud mom to two sons, Thomas Marshall Madison Jr and Baker Wells Madison (Diane). She was lovingly known as Momma to her 5 grandchildren, Ashley Reynoso (Liz), Christina Perlman (Peter), Margaret Madison (Jannis), Julia “Kikki” Madison, and Baker Wells Madison Jr. 4 great grandchildren, Branson Reynoso (Ashley), Michael Perlman (Christina), Eleanor Madison (Margaret), and Emma Perlman (Christina). She was predeceased by her three sisters, known by the family as the Russell Sisters, Tassie Beard, Beezie Hardwick, and Frances Terry.
Julie graduated from the Bartram School for Girls in 1951 and Hollins (College) University in 1955, where she was the captain of the tennis team. She was part of the 1953-1954 Jacksonville Debutant Coterie. The Maid of Ye Mystic Revelers in 1954 and The Queen in 1955. She was a proud member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Timuquana Country Club, Junior League of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Women’s Golf Association, and Florida Women’s Golf Association. She was an active volunteer in The Cancer Society and Heart Association and a Grey Lady for 25 years at St. Vincent’s. She also volunteered for almost 30 years in the Greater Jacksonville Open, now known as The Player’s Championship.
After her husband and family, golf had her heart, and she worked and played for the game. Most notably in 1979 she was the President of the Jacksonville Women’s Golf Association and President of the Florida Women’s Golf Association. From 1980 to 1991 she was a member of USGA’s Women’s Committee where she was chairman of the USGA’s Senior Women’s Championship Committee from 1987-1990. She is a member of both Timuquana Country Club’s Hall of Fame and Hollins (College) University Athletic Hall of Fame. She has also won Timuquana Country Club’s Ladies Club Championship 23 times in six different decades, Jacksonville Women’s Golf Association 3 times ’68, ’79, and ’87, JAGA Ladies Championship in ’68 and ’71, The Sarah Shelly (now known as the Shelly Madison Invitational) in ’68, ’71, and ’74, and the Sunshine State Senior’s Championship in 1986.
After Tommy retired, he and Julie spent the summers in North Carolina. First in Balsam and then in Waynesville. They enjoyed having their family and friends there, riding around in the Yellow Chicken, having picnics on the parkway, and hosting the best party “Jazz on the Mountain” in Laurel Ridge. Besides golf, they loved to travel especially on small ship cruises and had many fascinating trips. When not playing golf or traveling you could find Julie in her garden. She loved her family and got much pleasure watching and supporting her grandchildren pursue their interests — academically, professionally, or on the playing field.
There will be a memorial service held in celebration of Julie’s life at St. Mark’s
Episcopal Church on October 11th at 11:00am with a reception immediately following in Leatherbury Hall.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations may be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 4129 Oxford Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32210, Community Hospice & Palliative Care, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, Fl 32257, or a charity of your choice.
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